by editor | Jun 12, 2012 | Lifestyle
James Mwangi of Kenya’s Equity Bank named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year, the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs
MONTE CARLO, 9 JUNE 2012 – James Mwangi of Kenya’s Equity Bank was last night named the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012 at an awards ceremony held in Monte Carlo’s Salle des Etoiles.
James Mwangi was picked from among the 59 country finalists vying for the title across 51 countries, each of whom had already been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in their home country.
Equity Bank is the largest bank by customer base in East and Central Africa and the largest African majority owned company in the region. The bank has more than seven million accounts representing over half of all bank accounts in Kenya. It also has operations in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Tanzania.
“I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of the people and customers of Equity Bank”, said James. “This is a global recognition for Africans who are embracing the power of entrepreneurship to change the economic and social state of Africa.”
The independent judging panel was a distinguished group of former Entrepreneur Of The Year Winners. The panel was chaired by Ruben Vardanian, President, Troika Dialog, of Russia. Joining Ruben on the panel was:
Jim Turley, Global Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young, said, “Over the past 26 years, entrepreneurs have done more than any other group to stimulate innovation, job creation and prosperity during both periods of growth and in challenging economic conditions. James Mwangi epitomizes the vision and determination that set entrepreneurs apart and is very worthy of the title Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2012.”
About Dr James Mwangi and Equity Bank Limited
Dr. James Mwangi has been pivotal in the transformation of Equity Bank from a failing micro-finance institution to a publicly listed commercial bank. He has also driven the bank’s aim to transform the lives and livelihoods of people socially and economically by giving them access to modern, inclusive financial services that maximize their opportunities.
The bank is rated the biggest by customer base and African majority owned company in East and Central Africa. The more than seven million accounts represent over half of all bank accounts in Kenya. Regional operations exist in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Tanzania.
James has been pivotal in the bank’s investment in a robust IT platform that can accommodate 35 million accounts, as well as a level four data center – the only one of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa – giving Equity a lead in creating synergy between banking and mobile telephones. Other innovations include Mkesho, the world’s first mobile centric bank account, Orange Money, a mobile money transfer platform for Orange Telecom subscribers, and agency banking.
Through strategic capitalization, Equity Bank attracted the single largest capital injection in East & Central Africa’s history (US$180m) from Helios EB.
James is also Chairman of Equity Group Foundation, established to scale up the existing CSR initiatives of the Group. In recognition of the diverse nature of socio-economic needs in Africa, the Foundation has identified six program areas; education and leadership development, agriculture, financial literacy & entrepreneurship, health, innovation and environmental sustainability. The Foundation has partnered with the MasterCard Foundation to form the largest Secondary Education and Leadership Scholarship Program in Africa.
In FY09-FY10 the bank’s turnover increased by 32% and its assets by 42%. In 2010, the Financial Times named James as one of the top 50 emerging market business leaders.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential, and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 140 cities in over 50 countries.
by editor | Jun 11, 2012 | Lead Story
GB’s water stars reveal stunning new images
showcasing some of Britain’s top aquatic talent ahead of the summer.
Some of our best hopes for swimming glory this summer have gathered for a stylish photoshoot in a bid to urge Britain to support them in their quest for gold.
Amy Smith, Caitlin McClatchey, Keri-anne Payne, Georgia Davies and Jemma Lowe teamed up to produce the striking images, which show that Britain’s best aquatic talent is ready for the challenge ahead.
With just months to go, our swimmers are encouraging the nation to show its support for the British swimming teams as they prepare for the biggest competition of their careers.
The glamorous girls are also doing their bit to inspire fans to take a dip themselves this summer.
As part of the British Gas ‘Free Swims for Britain’ campaign, those who sign up to support the teams will be able to take the plunge for free in more than 700 pools, in leisure centres, health clubs and hotels across the country.
Free Swims for Britain runs until 30th August 2012. For further information and to book your free swims go to www.britishgas.co.uk/freeswimming
by editor | May 31, 2012 | Lifestyle
Tips For Building a Successful Long Distance Relationship
From time to time, life will hand you a twist, and you will be
required to move from one place to another – this can be the
result of a job transfer, leaving home to attend college, or any
of a number of other reasons. When you move from one town to
another, it is not always possible to bring your partner with
you, and this sometimes leads to the formation of a long distance
relationship (LDR).
I have to be honest, it takes a very special set of people to
engage in the long distance relationship successfully and for a
lengthy amount of time. The weaker among us may work to keep the
facade, while at the same time looking for companionship closer
to home. I will be honest, I am not suited to the long distance
relationship, but I have known people who were able to do it
successfully over a number of years.
When you have a long distance relationship, it is always good to
maintain communication, whether it is through the phone, email or
any other possible means. It can be a bit straining and
expensive, but that is the only means that will keep the two of
you together. These days with Voice Over IP (VOIP) telephone
services, the cost of long distance phone services can be
drastically reduced, but these services require the user to keep
access to a high-speed internet access, in order to successfully
utilize the services.
Partners should also maintain a high level of honesty and respect
for each other. If you do not trust your partner, you will be
kept awake wondering whom they are with and whether they are
still faithful.
Do not ask your partner “who were you with?” or “what did you
do?” There is a difference between genuine interest and
suspicion, and the person whom you ask those questions can
usually distinguish between the two motives.
Insecurity will poison and ultimately kill any relationship.
If you find yourself straying, or simply do not love your partner
anymore, it is always best to come clean. Do not lie or pretend
that you are not going out with someone else. It may be seem more
convenient to hide the truth, but if you try, you are just
delaying the inevitable breakup.
When you decide to break the relationship, do not leave a message
on the answering machine.
Understand if your partner is unable to return your calls
immediately, or does not write that often. It may because of a
new lifestyle or a pressing job.
It also helps to tell your partner what you did, how you are
feeling and where you think the relationship is heading.
Make a habit of visiting each other when it is possible,
especially during holidays. This helps break the gap that the
distance is putting between you. Absence may make the heart grow
fonder, but presence gives it strength. The hellos may seem odd
and the goodbyes painful, but it gets easier with time.
Having supportive friends is also an added advantage. Some may
think it is an absolute waste of time to maintain a long distance
relationship, while others will respect you for trying to hold
the relationship together despite the distance.
A long distance relationship is just like any other relationship
– the only difference is that you will have to work a little bit
harder to stay together. If there is no reason to break up, head
on.
Keep in mind that nothing comes in life comes on a silver
platter. Relationships like anything else in life requires work
to be successful. If you are committed to your significant other
and him or her to you, then the long distance relationship is not
a bad thing. My brother was involved in a long-distance
relationship for more than four years, while he and his current
wife were working their way through college. It worked out well
in his case, and it could work out well in your case also.
If you find yourself involved in a long distance relationship,
you should use this article as a guide to help your relationship
be successful in the end. You never really know what cards life
is going to deal to you, so invest in what is important to you,
and find the fulfillment you have always wanted to find in your
own life.
———————————————————————
Lance Metzger writes about relationships, offline and online
dating. Our no-strings-attached dating site has become a popular
online adult dating destination, due to its large membership
base of people looking for relationships of all kinds. Learn
more at: http://www.nsadatingsite.com/
Consider Lance’s new Kindle book, “Making Memories: Creative
Dating Ideas”: http://raintreepublishing.com/creative-dating-ideas/
by editor | May 31, 2012 | Lifestyle
WHERE THERE’S A NEED
I found myself stopped at an intersection on a wintery day. Strong arctic
wind battered my car. I spotted a young woman who stood alongside the
street rubbing her bare hands together and dancing in place to keep warm.
Beside her rested a sign that read, “I have a baby and no food.” Her face
showed she had been crying, likely from the pain of the bitter wind.
Homeless and unemployed people are a common sight in many of our larger
cities, and most motorists drive by without offering assistance. They have
no doubt been taught that giving money fosters a dependent lifestyle, or
the ready cash may be used to purchase alcohol or drugs rather than the
food for which it was intended. Like me, they may have been taught that
money is best given to a local charity or through one’s faith community, as
these institutions often have excellent programs to help those in need.
And though this is true, I sometimes recall a humorous story about two
college students who encountered a homeless man on a sidewalk. One of the
students took a couple of dollars from his wallet and handed it to the
unfortunate stranger. His friend commented, “Why did you do that? He’s just
going to spend it on booze or drugs.” The young man answered, “Yeah…like,
we’re not?”
On that icy day as I waited for the light to turn, I felt conflicted about
that young woman. I figured she was probably staying at one of the women?s
shelters in the area and wondered if her baby was there now, as there was
no child in sight. Should I give her money? She was obviously in need. And
whether or not she actually had a baby at all really didn’t matter. I gave
up guessing people’s motives and analyzing their stories long ago. It was
cold. She was cold. And she apparently felt she had to be there.
What should I do? How could I help? What was best?
As I wrestled with these questions, a window rolled down from the car in
front of me and a hand shot out holding a warm pair of gloves. The driver
had taken her own gloves off and gave them to the shivering woman. I saw
the young woman mouth the words “Thank you” as a broad smile lit up her
face.
It occurred to me that, as I debated, somebody else helped. As I hesitated,
someone else acted. As I tried to decide the BEST way to assist, somebody
else just did what she could. In other words, as I did nothing, someone
else did SOMETHING.
I made myself a pledge that day to always try to do SOMETHING. And I?m not
just talking about giving money. I?m not even talking about the homeless,
necessarily. Where there?s a need, there?s an opportunity. So I promised
myself that, whenever or wherever I spotted a need, I would try to do
SOMETHING.
Educator Leo Buscaglia said, “Too often we underestimate the power of a
touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the
smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life
around.” Even speaking, listening, and noticing — they may not seem like
much, but they are something. And the smallest act of kindness carries
great power within.
I don?t want to underestimate what I CAN do. Where there?s a need, there?s
an opportunity. My action may not turn a life around, but it can make some
kind of difference. And I?ll trust that the something I do, no matter how
small, will be better than the nothing I might have done.
– Steve Goodier
__________
Find Steve Goodier here: http://stevegoodier.blogspot.com/.
Newsletter: http://LifeSupportSystem.com.
by editor | May 26, 2012 | Lifestyle
Christian Louboutin & Celebrity Guests
From Across The Globe To Attend Exclusive Party In London
Acclaimed fashion icon Christian Louboutin and Martini celebrate the launch of a global search across 25 countries, for the next female supermodel to star in a TV commercial worth €150,000.
To launch the search, celebrity attendees included The Saturdays, David Gandy and fellow designer Matthew Williamson celebrated at the Design Museum London, home to Christian Louboutin’s exhibition, showcasing twenty years of his designs and inspiration.
The casting will go live across 25 countries on May 28th from Brazil to Spain, South Africa to Italy. The successful candidate will be chosen in October by Christian Louboutin and a high profile judging panel.
Instantly recognisable by their trademark shiny red-lacquered soles, Louboutin will be giving away 12 pairs of his famous shoes to the successful candidate chosen by the high profile selection panel.
The female casting star competition follows the successful launch of Martini’s ‘Luck Is An Attitude’ competition in 2011 to find a male model, launched by supermodel David Gandy.
